The magic of Chetan Bhagat

Few novels take you to unimaginable worlds, few impart knowledge, few make you feel why you ever chose to read them and few make you think about them for weeks together and smile, when in solitude. because they have a correlation with your life somewhere. Writing a novel is different from writing an interesting novel. Only in few novels do you put yourself in the place of the main character and read on.
Chetan Bhagat has this gift of writing novels that can reach people faster and falls under the category of writers who write for pleasure, unlike others who write for booker or pulitzer. I certainly agree that his style of writing doesn't have a rich vocabulary or an impeccable grammar. But, who cares! Do you go to a theater with an expectation of learning something from the movie that you are going to watch? It's just to entertain you, to make you feel lighter, to de-stress you. Same is the case with novels. After all, reading is for pleasure. And, I bet my shoes, every boy who reads his novel will enjoy it, especially his latest release - 2 states.
His success can also be attributed to the story line. It's real. There is no need of creating a story from scratch. It's already there. You just have to add gloss to it. And when the story by itself is interesting, your work becomes simpler. So, I think Chetan is lucky in that aspect.
Something very strange about his new novel is that, the story is old, plain, very much guessable and yet interesting. It might be because of IIMA or because of Chennai or because of Ananya. I don't know. Might be the magic of Chetan Bhagat.......

P.S : I feel this isn't a well written post. Chetan deserves more. Will edit it, if needed.

Risking my holidays

Risk Management and Risk Analytics. Well, those are what I have been reading about for a couple of days now. It's good to learn management concepts and even better when you are interested in them. I am blown off totally. Finance is HUGE. I began to feel complacent about my achivevement when I finished reading(and understanding) Financial Risk Management, Dun & Bradstreet, but later felt too small on seeing two heavy loads of books again on Financial Risk Management in the D&B TU library.
It's been just two days since I joined here as an intern but have had quite a significant number of realizations.
* You can be on a Fazer or even on a Hayabusa but you would hate driving if you travel once from Virugambakkam to Kandanchavadi (for those who wonder what these are, they are places in Chennai)
* Even if you vow not to go by bike to office and take a bus, an AC bus, you can still hate travel because you'll be late - late by 1 hour. Murphy's law struck again
* Check the font options before you take a printout, else, you could waste a dozen papers when you are not permitted to take even a single printout without informing the IT department
* Hot chocolate sucks at cafeteria. Black coffee is way better
* Don't ever go with the expectation of meeting good-looking girls. They'll be found everywhere except where you are
* Always stick to what you know best. Don't eat rice with spoons just because others do it. One mistake and you could mix payasam with rice.

Connect'09 - a delight

September 10th,11th and 12th of 2009 are the three days I would never forget in my life. It was a top of the world feeling to talk to few people whom I have hitherto seen only on the television. The event started off with Unconference, which basically isn't a conference. I was apparently part of the organising team of the social media department and had not much of work on that day. In fact, Mr Kiruba Shankar, the organiser of Unconference made things very simple and easy. I had a great time working with him. He is an influential figure in the blogging circle and is the CEO of Business blogging and is in the board of directors of wikipedia. Now, doesn't that sound great??? Thanks to Senthil anna. It was he who helped me be a part of the organising team of this conference.

That's our team.

On the 1st day of the main conference I missed the plenary sessions due to my electronic system design laboratory exam, however, made it to the cocktail party and networking dinner in the evening :P.

The second and last day of the conference is when I spent some time with a few members of our team whom I met for the first time only a day before - Srinidhi, Radhika, Anuj, Prashanti and Harish. You know, it is nice to see new people and to make friends with them. Now, coming to the most important part. Where else would I get to network with great corporate giants and IAS officers like Mr S Gopalakrishnan, Mr Gopal Srinivisan, Mr Santhosh Babu, Mr Lakshmi Narayanan, Mr Anil Menon, Mr Mahalingam and many many more? I really pity few friends of mine who missed this opportunity.

A new look, a new name..

Yaaa. This is me, Shivram. No doubt. And this is my blog. Everything is changing and so does my blog. I really didn't know why I named my blog 'Darkness DeMystified' at first although there was a separate post that explained the philosophy behind it. Hey, I am not even 20 man. And I am being too philosophical?? Yuck.

So, here you have for my blog - a new look, a new name and a new kind of old author.

The side effects of boredom

Well, to stay idle for three hours(12 to 3) and then have class from 3 to 4 is among one of the few things I hate. It opens up so many new ways to think devilish and sometimes even to be devilish. But, most of these options are frozen when you are in college. Yes. I am in college now and I am free till 3. So I thought of writing a post and as you can see, I have written it. So, now stop gaping at your screen and go to work.

How a '*' can shatter you dreams...

I tell you, fate is predominantly evil. Just when all things seem to fall in place this factor peeps in, plays its part, smirks at you and flies back. I couldn't continue the saturday story and you'll know why. All of a sudden my craze for an iphone peaked yesterday. I don't know why but it did.

I could see through my heart's eyes my iphone being manufactured.

So immediately I hit the iphone site and was understandably excited when I saw the pricing for 3GS iphones as I knew my father would get me one for this price. As my eyes scanned its features, my hand started feeling its smooth surface(I later realised it was just the mouse).

I could see my iphone getting its final touches and being escorted out of the manufacturing unit.

I was hunting for more and more information on my iphone and each time I found something interesting I jumped out of my seat, combed my hair and came back just to look as impressive as my iphone.

I could see a man cradling my iphone in his hand and taking it to the software section to get the OS and others softwares loaded onto it.

I called my father to my room and showed him this captivating contraption. He was impressed too and I was on cloud nine when he said it was worth buying.

I could see that man bringing my iphone back for packaging.

Just then I noticed a minutest of the minutest star over the price. Although I presumed it to be the same old conditions apply star I scrolled down to the bottom of the webpage to find out what that star meant.

It said - '*Qualified customers only' which means only those who accept to use AT&T network for 2 years will get the gadget for the quoted price. I later found out that it is commonly called the 'on-contract mode of purchase'. If you use the second mode of purchase it costs much too dear.

My iphone slipped off his hand and broke into several pieces - all star shaped.

P.S: Now you know why the saturday story has seen its end??

The Saturday Story

(Raje's mobile tickles his thighs)

'Hey Raje! Are you busy??'

'Not at all. Btw Hi Venk. How are you doing?'

'Great. Where are you now? At home?'

'No I am in the library'

'Oh my God!! During holidays too??'

'Now stop it. Don't mock me. I happened to come this way, so just thought of dropping in'

'Fine. Now hop out and come to my house'

'Why suddenly?? Anything Important??'

'Not really. I just thought of doing something worthwhile to kill time'

'What is it????'

'Not so soon. You come here first. I'll tell you'

'That's all right Venk. But I haven't been to your place. Where exactly is it and how do I come??'

'Take a bus to guindy and from there take another bus which goes to ambattur estate/O.T'

'Then??'

'Get down at Golden Flats'

'Then?'

'Walk down the road, then left, then second right, then fourth left, then you would find a saloon, take left from there, then sixth right, then.......'

'Wait Wait..... When should I come?'

'But I haven't completed. You should.....(fourth, sixth first.........)'

'No Venk. Please. I'll manage'

'Bye then. Just call me up if you get stranded. I'll guide you'

'Thank God you told me this.'

(It is better to get stranded)

                                                                       ***

'Hey hello Nirm'

'Hello'

'Just hang on'

(Venk punches the buttons on his mobile)

'Prah there??'

'Yes. Tell me'

'Hang on. You are put on a conference call'

(Venk starts punching again)

'Hello Para??'

'Yes Yes'

'Hold on'

'All you people, hope you are free'

'Yes Yes Yes ', they all said.

'Good. So stop all your work,if any, and come to my house as soon as possible'

'Why?? Why?? Why??' they asked.

'I am planning to do something and I need you guys for that'

'What is...But I...Tell me...that ??....have to....about??....clearly, any......go out.....article 377 stuff??....hello.....hellooooooooo... hellooooooooooooooooo...'

'Why don't you talk one at a time??? Btw, who is that smutty guy???'

'What smutty guy???' asked Prah.

'Yes. The one who said article 377'

(Silence persisted for a few seconds)

'Now please. It is true I hail the judgement but I am not gay. You all understand???', said Venk with deep embarrassment.

(Two hours passed and coincidentally all the four reached Venk's house at the same time)

to be continued next saturday..........

Results!! Results!!

After a lot of our results would come tomorrow by my friends, it actually did come on friday. I scored 9.42. Now that I am in my 5th semester with just 3 more semesters to go, I have begun to feel the heat. In just a few more months, if you happen to walk into my classroom the three words you would hear are - MS,MBA,placements. I too have started practising this mantra - MS,MBA,placements..........MS,MBA,placements.........

What the novels teach you - everything

Soon after I finished The Second Lady, a stunning novel by Irving Wallace, impressed by his style of writing I started off with The Golden Room. Though the plot raced on a somewhat slower pace than The Second Lady it was certainly way better than The Sea of Poppies[you know,I stopped reading it when I was 25% through]. For that matter any male - hmmm the females too[just giving them their due rights lest I should be reproved by the LGBT community] would enjoy reading both The Second Lady and The Golden Room because of the author's generous citing of on-bed events in a stimulating fashion. I used to deeply condemn Sidney's way of introducing episodes of physical union because I felt they were forced into the story without any actual need. But Irving has every reason to boast about his writing - perfectly fitting. While The Second Lady speaks about the cold war that existed between Russia and the USA and an immaculate impersonation of Billie Bradford to win over this crisis situation, The Golden Room explores the internal affairs of Chicago with The Everleigh Club as its epicentre. Well after you get to know what The Everleigh Club is[sorry, you have to google it and know for yourself because I don't wish to lose the chastity of my blog], you would appreciate the phrase - 'perfectly fitting.' But, only one thing about The Golden Room remains abstruse to me and it is the name of the novel - The Golden Room itself. There has hardly been any great detail about the significance of the name in the story except that the club housed a golden room with a golden grand piano. Chuck it!! I am no panelist in the Booker Prize judging panel to scrutinise this. I read just for the pleasure in reading. But, if any of you know the interpretation of the name of the novel with the plot or if it transpires to any of you after reading it do drop a note in my comment box. 

I have just one last thing to say - I am sorry for having displayed a tinge of perversity in this post. And for those who are planning to read one of the two novels or both of them, please shed a reasonable part of your ideals and morality or else you might end up saying - Cheap!! Cheap!!Cheap!!

Mummy Mummy I've grown a tummy

The longest semester holidays, probably the first and last of my entire course, is going to end. And what have I been doing all these days????? I have grown a tummy!!! See, I have to take credit for such involuntary improvements on my body because I don't have any other voluntary activity[to state] that I have been doing all these days. A pile of ghee dhosas in the morning for breakfast, a short nap for brunch, thayir saadam for lunch followed by an afternoon siesta, any crunchy snack to munch in the crepuscule and of course anything for dinner. Now tell me, what would anyone expect out of such a creature???? 

And you know, my life is full of realisations. Recently did I read a quote. 'Middle age is when the age shows up at ur middle.' So off I go to work-out, to rescue myself from this ever-growing lump of fat that has accumulated on my middle.

P.S: I intended to make this post humourous but I wonder if it has fallen flat. And hey, for those who might be seeing me after this vacation, I'd look perfectly proper because it is just the onset of a corporation that is common among us Indians. And for those who are never going to see me, just dont bother.

How secret is your secret?

“Whoever wishes to keep a secret must hide the fact that he possesses one.”

Life has become so unreliable and so are the people. The curiosity to illegally peep into others’ possession has grown. I was appalled when I received an sms from a friend of mine who[just relieved from a state of shock] mocked me with a tone of both satire and surprise on seeing a sensual display picture on my orkut profile. The other information on my profile had also been monkeyed and modified to suit the display picture. No sooner did I start cursing the hacker than I realised the fact that my password was untouched. I uttered a great sigh of relief and said to my self ‘Thank God!! for the bad (wo)man had been good enough to leave the password undisturbed.’

But not all are fortuitous enough as I had been because Brian Green's experience with not-so-secret questions began when he logged on to his World of Warcraft account in March of this year and found all of his characters in their underwear. LOL!!! Someone had stolen the account and sold off all of his virtual equipment. He then involved himself in a great amount of research and finally came to a conclusion. "My 'secret question' has an all-too-common answer . . . This wasn't something I considered when I filled it out."

The incident bears similarities to the high-profile case involving Alaska governor and former vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin. In September 2008, hackers used the name of the location where Palin and her husband met to gain access to her Yahoo e-mail account via the "secret question" password-recovery mechanism.

It has been shown by the researchers from Microsoft and Carnegie Mellon University that the secret questions used to secure the password-reset functions of a variety of websites are woefully insecure. In a study involving 130 people, the researchers found that 28 percent of the people who knew and were trusted by the study's participants could guess the correct answers to the participant's secret questions. Even people not trusted by the participant still had a 17 percent chance of guessing the correct answer to a secret question.

"Secret questions alone are not as secure as we would like our backup authentication to be," says Stuart Schechter, a researcher with software giant Microsoft and one of the authors of the paper. "Nor are they reliable enough that their use alone is sufficient to ensure users can recover their accounts when they forget their passwords."

The least-secure questions are simple ones whose answers can be guessed with no existing knowledge of the subject, the researchers say. For example, the answers to the questions "What is your favorite town?" and "What is your favorite sports team?" were relatively easy for participants to guess. All told, 30 percent and 57 percent of the correct answers, respectively, appeared in the top-five list of guesses.

But answers that require only a little personal knowledge to guess should also be considered unsafe, the researchers warn. Of people that participants would not trust with their password, 45 percent could still answer a question about where they were born, and 40 percent could correctly give their pet's name, the researchers found.

Schechter agreed that researchers will have to find a completely different mechanism for backup authentication--secret questions just don't cut it. "We would eventually like to see these questions go away," he says. "Unfortunately, since we didn't find many questions that were conclusively good, it's hard to recommend simply changing questions."

So what is the way out????????

I might blindly[because the feasibility is a haunting issue] suggest that the desktops and laptops henceforth produced should all be installed with some form of biometric recognition system that can be suitably linked with the networks over the internet so that any site that requires back-up authentication can provide biometric sensing as another option apart from the endangered password authentication. This, according to me is a foolproof mechanism until the attackers/hackers turn out to be as rude as the ones in Angels and Demons.

The shoe throwing era

I thought of posting about this the second time it happened. But I didn't. It happened the third time. Again I didn't. It happened the fourth time and now for the fifth time. So, if I dont post about this at least now, it might happen again. 

True to their claims, the Americans were the pioneers in this too - in being shoe-ed. And what more does a country need to strengthen its claims when the President himself falls a victim to the action. Let me first mention the incidents in their chronological order.

First : Ex-President of the USA, Mr. George.W.Bush targeted by an Iraqi journalist

Second : Home Minister of India, Mr.P.Chidambaram by Jarnail Singh

Third : A Congress M.P from Kurukshetra, Mr.Naveen Jindal by a retired school teacher

Fourth : An independent M.P whose name I forgot

Fifth : The B.J.P candidate for the post of Prime Minister Mr.L.K.Advani 

Sixth : ????(With fingers crossed!!)

Now for the succinct reviews.

The first incident was indeed an exceptional display of sharp reflexes by the then president. kudos!! kudos!! The first shoe that flung across was aimed exactly at the target but missed it by a whisker. The second throw,though, was not up to the mark.

It was a shock for every person associated with him, when Jarnail Singh pelted a shoe on the Home minister. He(Jarnail Singh) was a man known for his soft-spoken nature and this event came as a bolt from the blue. 

The other three incidents don't demand much consideration as it has become a weekly affair now. So no review on them.

But,I wonder why every person misses the target. 

So, few tips on how to improve your accuracy.

1)From the events, it could be concluded that the shoe when aimed at the face of a person assumes a trajectory that tends to deflect it to the left, thereby missing the target. So, make sure you are seated in a place where the direction of the wind is to your right.

2) Alternatively, you can aim at the left ear of the person so that the shoe at least brushes the right ear, thereby accomplishing your task.

3) Donot wear costly shoes on the D-day because you obviously wont get it back. But, if it hits the target you are sure to find your shoe in some depository or a museum few years later.

4)Last but not the least, practise well because only practice makes a man perfect. Stand in front of a mirror. Encircle your face on the mirror. Go 5 stpes backward and fire(of course with a shoe). Higher the number of shoe marks inside the circle, greater is the chance of your hitting the target on the D-day.

P.S : Although these events happen to be a source of entertainment for all of us it is a shame for each and every person of this country. It was out of shame that I had to make this post comical. But we shouldn't forget that these are depictions of the country to the world outside. These are the incidents of utter ignominy and contempt that are witnessed by all. These incidents de-escalate a country's reputation. In all these events, both the thrower and the person at whom the shoe was thrown is to be blamed. It might be true that one throws a shoe to insult the other out of agony and frustration. But, there are other decent ways of expressing one's disappointment. And the best way is to act sensibly during elections. Excercise your right to vote and do it honestly. Don't ever be carried away by those election-time astroturf manifestos. You never know if it would be consciously implemented. Use your discretion to judge a person based on his past rather than on his oft-deceptive promises for the future. Whether as a sign of revenge or interest or duty, do it for the welfare of the nation. So pls think before you act and before you cast.

The recession blues

The recession demon has not spared even the brightest minds of our country. It has marooned few IIM students for they are yet to be placed in some organisation. With few companies like Lehman Brothers that have become a history today, the spectrum of recruiters has greatly reduced. It is quite natural that the same problem exists in all other educational institutions. This in the long run would drastically increase unemployment in India. Consider this : People of the upper strata who are forced to give up their jobs would inturn take up some other job to earn their living. The same would happen for the next lower level of people for their seats are now occupied by the upper strata. This happens at every level of the pyramid leaving the people at the last level under the ground, buried, smothered to death. Is this the peak of recession menace or has it got something more ? 

In the past few months we have seen a series of stimulus packages, cost cuts by the government and by individual organisations too. But, no one is able to get down to the brass tacks of the issue and formulate a strategy to ward off this demon. Maybe it is not possible. But, it has to be done and is definitely an intimidating task for the economists of the world who have an added responsibility of allaying the fears that have started creeping into the minds of today's younger generation. 

So, let us be optimistic and keep our fingers crossed with our minds disarrayed and hearts laden with mixed emotions of dreams and dreads.  

The Blame game

The recent attack by jihadists on the srilankan cricketers epitomises the far-flung terror infrastructure in Pakistan. It is shameful on the part of the present regime for they have failed miserably in diluting these hydra-headed activities of a part of their community. That these carnages are totally bereft of any motives makes the issue even more complicated. And now, Pakistanis(a considerable minority) suspect Indian hands in this attack. Doesn't this seem foolish the moment one hears it? Just because the ISI(Inter Services Intelligence) played a part in 26/11, should its Indian counterpart, the RAW(Indian Research and Analysis Wing) avenge in a similar fashion? The Indian government is yet to bring the lone gunman(Ajmal Amir) involved in the 26/11 attacks to a proper trial. In such a state would any sane person on earth hatch a conspiracy of this kind? 

The investigation till now projects the similarities in both the attacks(3/3 and 26/11). It brings out the involvement of LeT or some other terrorist group that has copied the Mumbai modus operandi. Few Pakistani localites, including a leading television channel have however managed to intelligently relate this attack with the erstwhile tit-for-tat attacks carried out by India. Though few sources have identified the weapons left back by the terrorists as that of Indian make, no conclusions can be arrived at until proper evidence from the forensic department is out. 

Whatever the case might be, Pakistan has to realise that this is no kindergarten skirmish to point fingers at and that it has undoubtedly become the epicentre of terrorism which has to be destroyed soon, root and branch. This growing terrorism originating from Pakistani soil is turning uncontrollable. It is high time the world seriously discussed this menace and took realisable decisions. Each and every sane individual should understand that just as Swat is to Pakistan, Pakistan is to the rest of the world.   

Oscars all the way!!

What a memorable day it has been to all Indians!! It was at the stroke of 10:00 A.M this morning, just after my control systems assessment while walking on the corridors of my college that I got a message from one of my friends - "Rahman bags 2 oscars!!" It gave me goosebumps just to read about it and the news of Slumdog Millionaire winning 8 academy awards knocked my socks off. 

But, personally speaking the movie didn't seem so appealing to me nor did ARR's score for the movie. With the little musical knowledge that I imparted long ago, I would certainly not rate Jai Ho as the best of ARR keeping in mind his many other stunning compositions. But, Nature has proved its largesse once again without any deviation from its own law of conservation. ARR's years of hardwork has borne fruit only now. Ella pugazhum iyarkaikey(because I regard Nature and God as one and the same).

The whole crew of Slumdog, including those unfortunate Dharavi kids who couldn't fly to LA despite being a part of this grand victory, would be on cloud nine. Although those hapless kids with a desire to set foot on the red carpet watch their once play-mates posing for a photograph with the world renowned actors, they might also be contented by the fact that rubina and azhar would come back to them with lots of interesting tales to tell. 

A Booster

I think the jinx , seven and a half sani in our regional language, for me has been broken. Third Semester results out!! And guess what???? I scored 9.33 - for once I got what I deserved, what I desired. Nothing more on this. 

With strong hopes of a better future!  

The sad state of cricket

Somehow, this concept of bidding for players doesn't sink into my orthodox skull - what a f***ing concept. Just think of a scenario where you are held by your feet, hanging upside down, waiting for your a master - probably a man with grey beard, to make his bid and then put you into his coop(in the same position - you are hung on nails like an inanimate object) ; then every other bearded man claps and expresses his envy like a green-eyed monster. Now comes the most disgusting part. You get tagged.

Freddie - sold out for $1.55m. 

What a f***ing concept!! One humanbeing purchasing another???

Since, every player is better known by his sobriquet, the media use it to let know the whole world. I feel pity for these cricketers - they have become a subject well suited for parody. If not for their achievements in the field of cricket atleast for the fact that they are living beings with the same number of bones(the count I have forgotten) as their bidders should be given the due respect. Phew!!!! And moreso few players even come under this section called Unsold. Probably this is what one calls kaliyugam - sitting inside a conference hall of a multi-starred hotel around circular tables and shouting out for a player, guffawing whether they've won the bid or not and watching someone wave the red-coloured lights which they apparently use to call for a bid. Poor fellas. These avaricious young men(cricketers) don't even recognise that red is a sign of caution. I don't think there is a better way to belittle the worth of someone.   

Irony : Money-makers playing with their money on the cricketers who proclaim to play for their team not knowing that their worthiness is being played upon.

Masakali vs Rehna tu!!!

Whether it is Masakali or Rehna tu, I would shut the doors, put on my earphones and keep my auditory nerves excited to listen to the musical prodigy's composition. 

Starting with the peppy masakali; (eppadi dhaan ukkandhu yosikkarangalo) just as any other ARR song, I didn't like this when I heard for the first time. But now, I just dont listen to any other song(ofcuz rehna tu too).  And ARR's cognition in choosing a singer for a particular song is simply awe-inspiring. Kudos to Mohit!

And now about Rehna tu -  I have just one phrase to comment on this - a consummate tranquillizer in chords. 

The Importance of proper education at school

I was mouth-tied, unable to answer when my teacher posed a question today(details concealed due to various reasons). On my way back home, I was literally cursing my days of schooling(w.r.t education that I've imparted). It puts me to great shame. Who am I to point my finger at? .....the school? the teachers in particular? the principal? or myself? 

You should have really done great merits in your previous lives to get good teachers. They shape your future. The general misconception among the majority of parents is that secondary education is not as important as higher secondary. It is rubbish. The child's quotient is crude at this age. It is the duty of the parents and most importantly the teachers to teach the child to refine it. Whaaaaaaat? TO TEACH THE CHILD. This is the age when he/she starts thinking the nosey-parker way. There is an unextinguishable quench for knowledge, an innate inquisitiveness to know more, to learn more not about those badgering equations or formulae but about the day today happenings around him/her. So what the teachers have to do is to feed them young so that it stays with them forever. Make them aware of social issues, help them discover their potentials so that they can carve a niche for themselves in the future. Make them realise that even the brightest kid is a king only in his own den and that facing the competetive world is like walking on a razor's edge. The first step to victory is self-realisation. And this should happen before the age of 15 for only then would the child be able to build on its strength and strengthen its weaknesses.

Caveat: The child shapes up a country's future and the child inturn is moulded by teachers. And if the authorities expect the teachers to teach for a pay package of roasted peanuts p.a.,well, India is in great danger.

Australian Open NADALled!!

What a spectacular display of fervour for the sport it was by both men. Absolutely stunning. It was a gift to our eyes to have witnessed some highly-skilled backhand winners and professional aces. While both men battled out with extraordinary levels of certitude, the concept of competition outweighs one over the other. And in this case it is the spaniard Rafael Nadal, Gladiator who emerged triumphant. 

Nadal,retaining his no.1 spot

With this victory which foiled Fed's plans of equalling Pete's record, he has proved beyond doubt that he is not a king of clay alone. While the all-time leader in earnings, Roger Federer has failed in this endeavour he seems to be satisfied with the thought he has lost to someone who is no less than him. Even otherwise, a defeat is a defeat in whatever way you may try to vindicate it. As for any sportsman, especially for the no.2 seed in the world, the sense of defeat is unbearable though he is second to only one(no.1). I feel Federer would have been severly afflicted by this backsliding and the burns, though unseen, would propel him to reach his zenith of adroitness. With strong hopes...............

P.S: Don't ever tag me as a fed supporter just because of the last line. I am achromatic.

You are the best judge..

You strive hard to get something??..I bet my shoes... you wont get that with ease. This is my learning. And it has been proved beyond doubt in many circumstances. You yearn for something??...NO... STOP DREAMING, you would never get that until you start exploring ways immediately. Lots of advice, I have received; almost from everyone who speaks to me.Well thats how people are(born counsellors). Sometimes it really gets on my nerves when I hear someone say:"Listen. You are not a small boy and I need not advise you(during the worthless counselling session).." as though he/she is Mr/Mrs.PERFECT. I still put up with them, so patiently that they get irritated by my silence. Oh GOD, please help me. If I voice my views I become an incorrigible teenager, if I stay mute, I am mistaken. When do I get relieved????

As I have not much to think about during these holidays, those trifles occupy my mind and I keep thinking about ways to display myself as the BEST. BEST??..BEST??.....thats where I get kiboshed, get hindered by my thoughts....not allowing me to think further. What is the definition for BEST???....(only that question comes in my mind). Is it the state of self satisfaction of having accomplished something or is it the satisfaction of the people around(apparently counsellors). Is it enough if only I know that I am good enough to accomplish some task X or should I make others feel that I am competent enough to run that show??. Definitely proving oneself before others is a must. But proving is different from trumpeting. These counsellors with their pack of conventions expect this trumpeting from us. But a good leader would never display himself in an ostentatious manner.

So I decided, let these advices take a parallel path while I extract from them only those key points which I feel are true and leave the rest to reflect on them.

Let us avoid being a dilettante..

While I rest on the divan and contemplate on my future, only one thing(though in different forms) flashes in my mind always; and thats how I want my future to be(of course in the best suited form). Well for a boy of 18, is career more important than the fantasy around him????(to be answered by all 18 yr old teens).Well personally, I feel YES...if not for your own self, at least for that so called fantasy to last longer.And I do know, most of you would also feel the same(wise men think alike).Yet there is something called "the dichotomy" that instigates everyone of us to think otherwise.So for all those who have varied thoughts that may direct you to a destiny not that worth as it may seem to be, I have a site www.mindtools.com which might help you(helps me a lot in dilemma) to be dianoetic rather than intuitive.

A belated New Year wishes!

Things getting worse for me, infact, with me??? How can I stay away from blogging for such a looooooong time?? And how could I ever forget to wish you people?? Please pardon me. Let me wish u now. A belated new year wishes to all!! I should also make a mention here about the inordinate delay in coming back to blogging business. I wish to state an unfeigned reason here,but..................